Outchef’d, Food Network’s new culinary program, launched an intriguing two-part episode on Tuesday, September 28, 2022, at 9 p.m. ET. The episode had two chefs and competitors from each side competing against one another. The night’s cooks included Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and Chef Antonia Lofaso. Home cooks Jimmy and Derek were pitted against the legendary chefs. Derek Bowley is a Washington schoolteacher who has always had a passion for cooking. The participants just needed one vote from a panel of six tasters to win and take home $5000, whilst the professional chefs had to aim to sweep all votes.
While Jimmy received one vote and won the cash prize, Derek did not get a vote in the second half of the program, leaving him empty-handed but with valuable culinary experience versus Chef Antonia Lofaso.
Outchef’d have more on Derek Bowley’s adventure with chef Antonia Lofaso.
Derek mentioned before of the competition that his love for cooking emerged when he started assisting his mum in the kitchen. When he moved out on his own and began cooking, he began learning more by watching Food Network episodes, which “empowered him to attempt new things.” He confessed in a confessional:
“I like sharing what I know because I believe food is amazing…and it shows when I speak about food or my cooking.”
As Outchef’d presenter Eddie Jackson greeted them, he waited in the green room with his spouse Tim and buddy SJ. Derek originally mistook it for an audition and was noticeably surprised to learn that he would be competing against Chef Antonia Lofaso. Chef Antonia Lofaso has past reality television experience, having been on series such as Cutthroat Kitchen, Top Chef, Chopped, and Restaurant Startup, among others.
Outchef’d contestants and chefs were given eggs as the main ingredient for their meals and 45 minutes to prepare them. Derek struggled to boil his potatoes throughout their cooking time. He attempted to move it into a pan for a better outcome, but only succeeded by the end of the time restriction. While the pair were putting the final touches on their meals, Outchef’d presenter Eddie Jackson went to the streets to choose panel tasters to review the preparations.
Eggs?! Versus a legend like @chefantonia?! 😬 Oh man. This isn’t going to be easy for Derek. #Outchefd pic.twitter.com/OFnM1nnuXC
— Food Network (@FoodNetwork) September 28, 2022
Check out the delicacies prepared by the two chefs below.
Derek Bowley’s Frittata with Roasted Vegetables, Home Fries, and Arugula Salad
Tuscan Egg & Toast with Breakfast Sausage Ragu by Chef Antonia Lofaso
While the panel praised the chef’s menu and overall flavor, they said that the egg was not the “star of the meal.” Although Derek’s meal was “sturdy yet tender at the same time,” the panel believed that the eggs and potatoes didn’t bring out much flavor.
Chef Antonia Lofaso had received all of the votes towards the conclusion of the Outchef’d episode. Derek was appreciative of his time in the program, even if he did not win the $10,000 award. The Outchef’d debut started on an intriguing note, and there will be much more competition in the future. Other chefs competing against participants include Eric Adjepong, Anne Burrell, Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant, Tiffani Faison, Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli, Antonia Lofaso, Marc Murphy, and Geoffrey Zakarian.
